Apple contraptions are often praised not only because of its technological capabilities but also because of its aesthetic factors. This one looks good, a Flickr user has mounted her iMac G5 on an adjustable arm that gave the Apple baby a "floating" effect. Not only is it very good to look at, it is also quite practical because it occupies lesser space therefore enabling the user to work in an uncluttered atmosphere.

Apple is all about innovation, it is nice to see that that innovative thinking also affects their consumers.

DivX released its famous codec for the Mac. Almost universally found in PCs, DivX for Mac 6.5 is the first Mac version officially released by the company.

DivX is a codec (compression/ decompression) software that crunches video from virtually any source to a size that is easy to transport over the Internet. But despite the significant reduction in file size, the original video's quality remains unchanged. The software's video compression power is so efficient it can fit the entire contents of a DVD on a regular data CD.

If you've never used a DivX before, trust us it's not complicated. The DivX for Mac 6.5 lets you convert your videos to DivX by the fool-proof drag-and-drop method. Simply drag the file to the DivX Converter and clck on the Convert button.  That's all there is to it.  The DivX for Mac download includes:

• DivX Player 1.0.1
• DivX Community Codec 6.2.2
• DDivX Community Codec 6.2.2

DivX for Mac 6.5 requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and QuickTime 6 or later. The Pro Version costs $19.99 which is a good deal if you ask us.

For older machines using older Macintosh operating systems, you can use the DivX 5.2.1. DivX 5.2.1 for Mac works with Mac OS 10.2.6 to 10.3.9. However, DivX 5.2.1 is not compatible with Mac OS 10.4 or QuickTime 7. DivX 5.2.1 for Mac includes an mp3 encoder and also costs $19.99.

If Apple's refurbished Intel-based iMacs and G4-based PowerBooks that went on sale last month didn't tempt you to bite, this month's bumper crop of refurb iBooks might do the trick. Apple's refurbished 14-inch G4 1.42GHz SuperDrive iBook now goes for $1,049 (a 20 percent savings in case your calculating), while the 17-inch eMac 1.42GHz Combo Drive can be had at only $639 - 21 percent off the original pay-through-your-nose price.

Meanwhile more refurbished iMacs went on sale. The 17-inch G5 1.6GHz 256MB 80GB Combo iMacs is down 43% at $749. The 17-inch G5 1.8GHz 256MB 80GB SuperDrive is now only for $799 (47 percent less than the original $1,499). The 17-inch G5 1.9GHz SuperDrive now has a $999 (you save $300 on this one).

Apple knocked off $200 of the 17-inch Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz, now only $1,099. The 20-inch G5 1.8GHz 256MB 160GB SuperDrive at $1,099 saves you 43 percent. The 20-inch G5 2GHz SuperDrive now retails for only $1,249 (less $550). The 20-inch 2GHz Intel Core Duo is yours for only $1,399 (less 18 percent).

Yup, refurb Apples are in season so buy while the price is right. All refurbished items are available at the Apple Store and come with free shipping. They are also backed by Apple's one-year limited warranty.

Apple has released the latest update for Front Row v1.2.2. Front Row is a software that allows you to enjoy full-screen music, photos, videos, and DVDs on your Macintosh using a simple Apple remote control. This update provides a variety of fixes:

• Addresses bugs that prevented song shuffling within playlists
• Front Row no longer says the server was not found when its waiting for a large movie trailer or long shared video to load
• Corrects bugs that prevented authorized Audible Audiobooks from playing
• Fixes a variety of DVD compatibility issues
• Purchased movies located in the Movies folder are now correctly recognized
• Includes a variety of fixes for VoiceOver accessibility
• Fixes a bug that prevented Front Row from reconnecting to shared video libraries after wake from sleep

System Requirements:

• Mac OS X 10.4.5 or later
• Built-in infrared (IR) receiver
• iTunes 6.0.4
• iPhoto 6.0.2 or later

If you have not installed Front Row before, we suggest you read the user-friendly step-by-step guide from Andrew Escobar previously posted here on QJ. 


Download: [Front Row v1.2.2 Update]

As we've already reported, a total of 5 flaws have been discovered in Mac OS X, however according to the security expert who discovered them, there is a total of 7. A security researcher by the name of Tom Ferris, who works for Mission Viejo, California, discovered a total of 7 'Highly Critical' flaws in Mac OS X, namely in Safari browser. The operating system thought to be one of the best when it comes to security, has been probed and a series of flaws which have multiple effects have been discovered. To prove his discovery, on his site he has posted some proof of concept codes. The flaws at the moment could be used to crash applications and even run unauthorized code by taking advantages of bugs in Safari and the Mac OS X operating system.

Apple Computer Inc. has already been made aware of the bugs and plans to fix them in "the next security release," Ferris said, "There [seem] to be some problems with the claimed solid-as-a-rock Unix OS." Since the label of being more secure than Windows OS's, Mac OS X has been tested, probed, and ripped apart by researchers such as Ferris in order to discover and publicise the weaknesses. In February a series of programs with malicious intent were released in targeting Mac's, one named OSX/Leap. The SANS Instituter's Internet Storm Center rated the revealings as "Highly Critical" and that there were no patches to solve most of them. Apple have not yet commented on the bugs.

When you purchase a new Macintosh system at any Apple store or at there online store you will receive free shipping and free environmentally friendly disposal of your old computer. Apple was named a one of the top ten environmentally progressive companies earlier this week by the Sierra club and its investment advisor, Forward Management. Apples has recycled more than 90% of electronic equipment since 2001 and are hoping that this new free take back program will heighten those numbers.

Â?Apple is committed to supporting our customers and protecting the environment throughout the entire product life cycle, from purchase through to retirement,Â? said Philip Schiller, AppleÂ?s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. Â?Now we are making it even easier for AppleÂ?s customers to safely and affordably recycle their used computers and iPods.Â?

 

Apples iPod 5th generation, iPod nano and iPod shuffle are 100% compliant and way ahead of schedule for upcoming restrictions of hazardous substance (RoHS) in California and Europe which is the new global standard for environmental regulations which is due July 1st. Apple has also exceeded the Energy Star efficiency requirements for California for its iPod power adapter the regulations are to take effect July 1 2008.

Just yesterday I was chatting with a co worker about the Apple Boot Camp news.  Not an Apple user [yet], his initial impression was that Apple had sold out.  To which I explained my view and the related benefits of this news.  Most notably, "What other computer is capable of running both OS X and XP?  That's 2 mainstream operating systems on one laptop."  His face lit up a bit.  Later he asked about the speed and capabilities, figuring slower results - no doubt considering the previous requirement to run under emulation.  Well Macworld comes to the rescue with benchmarks which pit the Intel Macs against similar HP and Dell machines.

You may notice the Mac Mini is not shown in these results.  There were apparently some issues that precluded it from being listed here.  Interestingly - in my opinion - is that the MacBook Pro beat out even the desktop based iMac.  The MacBook Pro takes the crown in 4 of the 6 tests used.  The 2 that it gave up were by a point or two, and the iMac was just a hair behind the MacBook Pro in just about each result to boot. 

Very impressive showing for the new kid on the block, eh?

Well after a day full of events, all due to the release of the Boot Camp software which allows users to run XP on Intel Macs, it seems that one faithful individual by the name Speedeye has gone about taking pictures for us to gaze at showing the processes that Boot Camp takes you through. The screens were all sourced from Flickr, and we've compiled about 10 of our favorite screens from the 34 for you to have a look at. They all show an individual step in the process, from creating partitions to actually running Windows Update in XP. Enjoy.

iPatch for the iSight has begun shipping today for $10. What the iPatch is, is a cover to place over your favorite camera lens on Apple Mac's. The cover slides side to side to reveal the lens. This is an advantage for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it allows your lens to be kept dust free. Secondly, business users can use the Mac's in camera banned areas. And finally, for those scared of computer hacking and camera activation, this is your answer. Its a cheap and low cost application, and includes Perma-fix which allows the cover to be kept in place so that companies can now use Mac's without fear of picture taking.

My Mom used to say that Â?an apple a day keeps the doctor awayÂ?, well it seems the owner of bank in Japan has a serious fear of doctors as it is about to purchase more than 2,000 Apples Â? AppleÂ?s Macintosh computers that is.

Japan's Aozora Bank Ltd. Is about to switch almost all of its desktop personal computers to Apple Computer IncÂ?s Macintosh computers Â? all 2,300 of them. Considered a taboo especially in the business world since most companies use Microsoft Windows operating system, Aozora is set to start a new trend by replacing its outdated Microsoft computers with Macs.

In a few months, the Japanese bank foresees that about 90% of its machines will be switched to Macs. As of now, around 30-35% of the companyÂ?s computers were already swapped, with some enjoying the smooth iMac computers that allows employees to interact a la videoconference thru a camera perched atop the unit.

Mac OS X, AppleÂ?s latest operating system set to make machines more functional and stable, has made the decision to change computers easy for Aozora according to its chief technology officer, Bill Chute. Â?Before OS X, it would have been impossible, because Macs didn't have the reliability and the functions that Aozora needsÂ?, he explained.

Although even Apple knows it still has a long a way to go for them to be considered at par with MicrosoftÂ?s market dominance, it still has its fair share of success, particularly on small and mid-sized businesses. However, with more and more companies like Aozora embracing the latest Macs because of its less susceptibility to crashes, itÂ?s only a matter of time before Apple's computers get the nod of bigger companies. When that happens, Bill Gates may start looking around for the doctors Apple has driven away.